Our Vision

Inshore fisheries and conservation authorities will lead, champion and manage a sustainable marine environment and inshore fisheries, by successfully securing the right balance between social, environmental and economic benefits to ensure healthy seas, sustainable fisheries and viable industry.

Consultations Publications Learning Resources Partnerships Governance Vessels

Welcome to our site

Thank you for taking an interest in Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority website. We hope you find it easy and interesting to explore with the information you need. Perhaps it inspires you to discover more about the marine environment and fisheries along the Sussex coast and how abundant and diverse the marine fora and flora are.

We know many of you are increasingly interested in our seas and how they are managed and protected, so we’ve tried to include information that will meet everyone ’s needs.

For those who are interested in the marine biology, the site contains detailed information on some of the most well known finfish and shellfish species that live in the area.

If you are either a commercial or recreational fishermen you can access information on local fisheries regulations and download documents to help you understand the rules and why we manage fishing.

Take a virtual look at our District with our interactive map

Interactive Map

For those who want to find out more about fisheries management you can access our plans to further improve management and how you can become involved in the process. If you have something you want to say about the work we are doing or the information we provide please let us know.

Through the stated IFCA ‘Vision’ we are committed to the sustainable management of Sussex marine fisheries and the conservation of the environment for everyone. Our team is committed to improve the future for Sussex coastal waters with you.

Sussex Shellfish Permit Byelaw
If you fish for lobster, crab, whelk, cuttlefish or prawns in Sussex District then you need a shellfish permit from Sussex IFCA. See the guidance information here.

Read our 2020 report on the Sussex shellfishery here.

Essential Fish Habitats: Natural capital & Ecosytem services
As part of our consultations we have produced a factsheet to expalin what Natural Capital and their Ecosystem Services means for essential fish habitats and fisheries here .

Chichester Harbour
See some of our latest Chichester Harbour project work here .

UK Marine Policy Statement UN Marine Sustainability Targets

Latest News

Proposed Hand Gathering Byelaw 2021 Consultation:
Notice is hereby given that Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (Sussex IFCA) intends to apply to the Minister for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for confirmation of the Hand Gathering Byelaw 2021.

To support the statutory consultation process for the Sussex IFCA Hand Gathering Byelaw, the Authority has arranged opportunities for members of the public to meet with Sussex IFCA Officers, to both discuss the proposed management and look at available information:
Hand Gathering Byelaw 2021 Consultation Meetings

See our live consultations page for more information

Covid-19
The Sussex IFCA office is now open throughout the week and we will be receiving visitors. If you would like to pop in to the office, please call us on 01273 454407 or 07534973344 or email on admin@sussex-ifca.gov.uk to ensure someone will be available.

The Sea Angling Diary Project
This project is for English and Welsh sea anglers to help improve the sustainable management of marine stocks and demonstrate the value of sea angling. The project is delivered by Substance and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) on behalf of the English and Welsh governments.

Project Information Leaflet

Ghost Fishing
Ghost Fishing UK is a registered charity of volunteer scuba divers, trained in surveying and removing lost fishing gear from UK waters. If you or your vessel has accidently lost fishing gear, please follow this link www.ghostfishing.co.uk to report it. The gear can then be recovered and reunited to the owners, as quickly as possible.

Restoring our Kelp Forests
Kelp forests are an essential fish habitat that we are seeking to restore through the management we have introduced, namely the Nearshore Trawling Byelaw. A short film about Sussex kelp forests can be viewed here. Read more here.

Bass Regulations for Commercial and Recreational Fishing
To protect the vulnerable bass population in European seas new regulation is in place. Read More.

National IFCA News
To see more about IFCA news across the country see the Association of IFCAs website here.

Environment

People in Sussex can all enjoy the beaches and sea around us, from divers, swimmers, anglers, commercial fishers and sailors to people walking along the beaches and cliff tops taking in the sights. How many people know about what’s under the sea, and about the fishing that it supports? The dolphins that frequent the sea around Brighton and the seals that haul out in Chichester Harbour are flagship Sussex species that indicate the incredible marine wildlife that exists more often out of sight.

Fisheries

There is a diverse commercial fishing fleet that operate off the Sussex Coast. Many boats are under 10m in length and operate inshore, usually within six nautical miles (nm) of the coast. These boats land their catch daily. Most of the fleet operate throughout the year in pursuit of whichever fish or shellfish (and or quota) is available during the season. For example sole are fished in the spring and autumn, bass are targeted in the summer and cod in the winter. There is a thriving recreational sea fishery from the shore and from a fleet of private boats and charter vessels.